Improvement in desks



I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. H. E. M'0ON.

Desk.

No. 208,919. Patented Oct. 15, 1878.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

HIRAM MOON, or RICHMOND, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN DESKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 208,919, dated October 15, 1878 application filed May 28, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM E. Moon, of Richmond, in the county of Wayne and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Desks, Bureaus, &c.; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view, and Fig. 2 a vertical section, of my invention.

My invention has relation to the construction of office-desks, bureaus, secretaries, and other articles of furniture which it may be desirable and appropriate to utilize as cabinets or receptacles for paper-files, books, 850., while the contents are rendered more conveniently accessible than when under confinement within an ordinary writing-desk.

My invention accordingly consists in the provision, in the article of furniture in question, of certain drawers or sliding receptacles for the reception of papers, books, or the like, which drawers or receptacles are so constructed and arranged that, while being combined in a compact manner with the article to which they belong, and occupying but little space when closed or folded, they are sufficiently capacious for all ordinary purposes and susceptible of being brought into conveniently accessible requisition without disarran gement of or disturbance to their contents.

My invention furthermore and specially consists in constructing one of the drawers or receptacles in two sections, hinged together at their lower edges and containingbetween them a hinged leaf, which serves the double purpose of a cover to the outer or swinging section, to protect the contents thereof while said section is being turned, and of a writing-desk, to be used as such when the swinging section is let down to or near a horizontal position, all as hereinafter more fully described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A designates a desk body, secretary, bureau, cabinet, or other article of furniture, which may be of the shape illustrated, or of any other form that will answer the purposes of my invention, all or a portion only of the elements of which may be applied thereto.

B designates the principal feature of improvement, which consists of a drawer or. sliding receptacle, located preferably, but not necessarily, at about the center of the case A. This drawer is divided into two sections, a b, hinged together at their lower edges, so that when the drawer is drawn out the outer sec tion may be let down to or near a horizontal position. The interior of these sections is subdivided into pigeon-holes, shelves, or other suitable com partm cuts to contain articles which it is desirable to have within immediate reach. Between these sections, and hinged directly to the outer one, is a leaf, 0, which rests upon the latter, serving the purposes of a writingdesk when laid horizontally and of a cover to protect and. prevent displacement of the contents of said outer section when the same is being lifted. The outer section can only be let down when the drawer is withdrawn, so that the face of the inner section becomes flush with the front of the case A. A suitable stop, 0, prevents the draw er from being accidentally withdrawn farther.

The face of the outer section may be made in imitation of two or more drawers having the appearance of bureau-drawers, and should be furnished with knobs d or other means for manipulation. A latch or hook, 0, serves to fasten the two sections together when the outer one is raised.

D designates another sliding receptacle, whichconstitutes the top or cap of the case A. The part]) is constructed in two sections, D D hinged together at the top, so that when drawn forward the outer section may be thrown back over the top of the other, thus exposing the faces of the-two sections, which are subdivided into pigeon-holes or other forms of compartment, the chambered or box portions of the sections being attached to their under sides. The tops of the sections D D extend laterally over the sides of the case A, and have depending end pieces D which embrace the said sides, as shown.

The swinging section D may be provided with a hinged leaf, E, fastened by a latch, and designed to cover and prevent the contents of said section from falling out as the section is turned on its hinges. \Vhen drawn forward the two sections are even with the face of the case A, but may be moved to the back thereof. A suitable stop, F, prevents the sections from being drawn out too far.

G G designate two other drawers or sliding receptacles, located at the bottom of and on either side of the center of the case A. Each of these drawers is divided vertically into two sections, hinged together at the outer edges, so that when the drawer is drawn half-way out the outer section may be swung around laterally, exposing the interiors of the two sections, which are subdivided in to compartments for books, papers, or any other articles for which their positions are adapted. Stops also prevent these drawers from being withdrawn too far, and latches may be used to fasten the sections together. Instead of being located as shown the drawers G G may be arranged at the ends or sides of the case A.

I am aware that it is not new to construct a combined desk and cabinet with a sliding and swinging case of compartments, such case consisting of two sections hinged together on a vertical line and adapted to come together and slide wholly within the desk. I therefore claim no such construction or arrangement as my invention.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. A drawer or sliding receptacle divided into two sections vertically, which are hinged together at their lower edges, so that the outer section may be lowered to or near a horizontal position when the drawer is withdrawn.

2. A drawer or sliding receptacle divided vertically into two sections, hinged together at their lower edges, and containing between them a hinged leaf, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The sliding top made in two sections, hinged together, and having chambered receptacles attached to their under sides or to the under side of either, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto setmy hand this 6th day of April, 1878.

HIRAM F. MOON. \Vitnesses:

ELI S'rUBBs, MARY ANNA SrUnns. 

